Oyo, Abuja, Anambra stampedes a national tragedy – Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the recent stampedes during the distribution of food items to the less privileged in parts of Nigeria as a national tragedy.

The Vice President expressed profound sorrow over the incidents, which claimed numerous lives, and offered prayers for the victims and their grieving families.

On Saturday, a Christmas palliative distribution in Okija, Anambra State, turned tragic as 22 people lost their lives, with many others sustaining injuries. The same day, a similar event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, resulted in the deaths of ten people.

Earlier in the week, a stampede occurred during a holiday funfair celebration at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State. Several children lost their lives, and others were rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH) for treatment.

The Vice President in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, was quoted as saying, “I am extremely saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives. My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.

“I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation.

“This is not just a loss for individual states; it is a loss for the entire nation. May the Almighty God grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed,” he prayed.

He further assured affected families that the federal government would provide necessary support during this difficult period.

He said, “We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this difficult period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance they need.

“We have directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to affected families. To those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals, their recovery is our priority, and we will stand with them through this challenging time.”